Livingston, the budget, incredible parents

Friday evening 125 parents and community members came to a City PTA forum with Sup’t. Joseph and the four other top administrators of our school district to speak out on the District’s proposal to close Livingston Middle School next year as part of an effort to save money. See the TU coverage here.

Here’s my thoughts.

First, I came to the forum with mixed feelings about the District proposal. We face an unfathomable budget crisis with serious implications for our kids and the quality of educational programs in our District. The District has to look for ways to save money, it would be irresponsible for them not to do so. I left the forum convinced that closing Livingston at this time – with the impact such a decision would have on the families in the Livingston neighborhoods (no public middle school for the Northern half of the City) and on the other schools where Livingston students would be re-assigned (larger schools, larger classes, potentially inadequate middle school programs for many children who would essentially continue to be in elementary schools for 6th, 7th and possibly 8th grades) – is a bad idea.

Second, I was again impressed and, truly, overwhelmed by the incredible commitment to our schools and the children of our city of so many parents and community members. I don’t agree with everything every speaker said (and there were probably about 50 people who spoke at the forum), but one can’t help being moved by the eloquence and dedication of 125 folks who come out on a Friday evening with less than 2 days notice to listen to our Superintendent and to then express their opinions and concerns. We are lucky to have so many people who care so deeply about our children and our schools.

Third, the discussion last night emphasized the necessity of continuing our efforts this week with the State legislature to obtain appropriate funding for our Albany public schools. The legislature is patting itself on the back for passing an on-time budget for the second time in 20 years. We need to tell them: ‘an on-time budget is worthless unless it is a fair budget!’ and ‘the Albany public schools are still being shortchanged. We need $10 million in special charter school impact relief now!’

We have a limited opportunity now to keep the pressure on the legislature.